New Delhi Mar 31 PTI The Delhi Disaster Management Authority DDMA decided on Thursday that there will be no fine now for not wearing face masks at public places in view of a significant decline in the number of fresh COVID-19 cases in the national capital official sources saidThey said at a meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor LG Anil Baijal there was consensus among all the participants about the lifting of all Covid-related restrictions even though the DDMA is yet to issue an order in this regardHowever most of the Covid-related restrictions have already been lifted by the authoritiesThe sources said the DDMA is likely to issue an advisory for people asking them to wear masks at crowded placesCurrently there is a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing masks at public places in DelhiThe Centre had earlier advised the states and Union territories to consider discontinuing the Covid containment measures in view of a sharp decline in the number of fresh cases of the infection in the countryThe decision to lift the restrictions in Delhi was taken at a meeting attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal his deputy Manish Sisodia Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and senior officers of the departments concernedWith a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in December last year due to its Omicron variant the Delhi government had imposed several restrictionsThe restrictions were lifted gradually when the situation normalised and finally the curbs were removed from February 28 However the rule related to wearing of masks at public places including in buses and metro trains continuedResidents welfare associations described the development as risky and shocking claiming that with the new relaxations 99 per cent of the citys population will stop taking any precautionThis is shocking that despite the number of Covid cases rising worldwide the mandate of wearing masks has been removed They are resuming flights and markets have been opened completely Now the mask which was providing basic precaution has also been made optional BS Vohra who heads the East Delhi RWA joint front told PTIPresident of North Delhi Resident Welfare Federation Ashok Bhasin said he supports the relaxation but complete removal of the rule is not sensibleIt is a good thing because now the terror in the name of civil defence will not be there But masks should have been made compulsory at crowded places he saidAfter the DDMA meeting the LG took to Twitter and said it was decided that the focus would be on hospital-based sentinel surveillance and enhancing vaccination coverage of the targeted populationWhile appreciating the efforts made by all stakeholders in management of COVID-19 emphasised upon the need to follow the 5 fold strategy of Test Track Treat Vaccinate and adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour as advised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare GOITo effectively meet any scenario in future that may arise advised all agencies to remain vigilant without lowering the guard he said in a series of tweetsDelhi reported 113 fresh Covid cases and no death due to the viral disease on Thursday while the positivity rate stood at 049 per cent according to data shared by the city health department PTI AKMVA RC

New Delhi Mar 31 PTI The Delhi Disaster Management Authority DDMA decided on Thursday that there will be no fine for not wearing face masks at public places in the national capital official sources saidThey added that the DDMA however is likely to issue an advisory for people asking them to wear masks at crowded placesCurrently there is a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing masks at public places in DelhiThe decision was taken at a meeting of the DDMA chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal It comes after the city recorded a significant decline in the number of fresh COVID-19 cases over the last few days PTI AKM BUN RC

New Delhi Jan 27 PTI The Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday decided to lift weekend curfew and the odd-even system of opening non-essential shops in the city besides allowing restaurants bars cinema halls and theatres to reopen with 50 per cent capacity given the improving Covid situationThe decisions were made at a DDMA meeting headed by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal A final call to reopen schools will be taken in the next meeting officials saidThey said government offices have been allowed to reopen with 50 per cent of employees in attendanceWeddings venues have been allowed to have guests 50 per cent of its capacity not exceeding 200 in attendance Till now only 20 people were allowed to attend wedding ceremonies at homeCurfew from 10 pm to 5 am imposed on weekdays will continue The DDMA meeting also decided to strictly enforce and enhance Covid-appropriate behaviour and other guidelines to check the rise in cases they added Following the meeting Baijal tweeted that after detailed discussions with experts keeping in view the decline in cases it was decided to gradually ease restrictions while ensuring adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviourIt was agreed to revoke weekend curfew and to open markets without the odd-even rule It was also decided to open all government offices with 100 per cent strength up to Grade 1 levelRestaurants bars and cinema hallstheatres to operate up to 50 per cent capacity he said in a tweetThe L-G also advised the health department to enhance vaccination coverage with a special focus on vulnerable sections and also to undertake necessary epidemiological analysis of hospitalised patients PTI VIT GJS NSD NSD

New Delhi Jan 27 PTI The Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday decided to lift weekend curfew and odd-even system of opening non-essential shops in the city besides permitting restaurants and bars to reopen with 50 per cent seating capacity in view of improving COVID-19 situationThe decision was made at a meeting headed by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal He however postponed the decision to reopen schools for the next meeting officials saidThe government offices have also been allowed to reopen with 50 per cent staff they saidAnother decision taken at the meeting was to allow marriage ceremonies with maximum 200 guests in open areas and up to 50 per cent capacity at indoor venues So far only 20 people were allowed to attend these events at homeThe night curfew imposed on weekdays from 10 pm to 5 am will continue The meeting also decided for strict enforcement and enhancement of Covid appropriate behaviour and other guidelines to check rise in cases they addedPTI VIT GJS SRY SRY

New Delhi Nov 20 PTI The Delhi Disaster Management Authority DDMA on Friday allowed standing passengers in Metro trains and buses to augment the carrying capacity of the public transport systems to let more people use them instead of private vehicles in view of the prevailing air pollution In an order the DDMA said 30 standing passengers will be allowed in each Metro train coach In Delhi Transport Corporation DTC and Cluster buses the maximum number of passengers allowed to travel in standing position will be 50 per cent of the seating capacity So far Metro trains and buses in Delhi were allowed to run with hundred per cent seating capacity only to reduce crowding to check the spread of COVID-19 PTI VIT SMN SMN

New Delhi Oct 27 PTI The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has allowed reopening of all educational institutions from November 1 and Chhath Puja celebrations in the city amid Covid strict protocols Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Wednesday Schools will have to ensure that classes are conducted in a hybrid mode which means online classes will continue he said All private and government schools can be reopened from November 1 However parents cannot be forced to send their ward to schools Sisodia said at a press conference after a DDMA meeting The minister said more than 50 per cent of the students in a class should be called to school and all the staff are required to be fully vaccinated as soon as possible Sisodia said a restricted number of people will be allowed to conduct Chhath Puja at predetermined spots across the capital People are requested to follow all Covid protocols and wear masks The Covid situation is under control in Delhi but one has to remain careful he said PTI GVS GJS SNE